How to Tow a Car Behind an RV
Towing a car behind an RV takes the right setup for your vehicle, and it can affect what your insurance covers if something goes wrong.
It depends on how your car is towed and what your policies say about it
Most cars can be towed behind an RV using one of three methods: a trailer that lifts all four wheels off the ground, a dolly that lifts the front wheels only, or flat towing with all four wheels on the road. Which one works depends on your car. Some vehicles, usually ones with a manual transmission or a specific towing mode, can be flat towed. Others need a dolly or a full trailer or they'll suffer drivetrain damage.
Before you tow anything, check your car's owner's manual for whether it's rated for flat towing, and check your RV's tow rating to make sure it can handle your car's weight. Then call your insurer, both the one covering your car and the one covering your RV, and ask how a towed vehicle is handled under each policy.
Whether your car can be flat towed at all
Flat towing, also called dinghy towing, is the simplest setup because there's no trailer or dolly to store and no second set of wheels to maintain. But it only works for cars built for it. Towing a car with the wrong drivetrain this way can burn out the transmission within a short distance.
Check your owner's manual first. Many manufacturers list flat towing as approved, not approved, or approved only with a supplemental braking system or a lube pump installed. If your manual doesn't say, call the manufacturer directly rather than assuming based on what a similar model does.
If your car isn't rated for flat towing, a tow dolly or trailer is the alternative. A trailer costs more to tow and store but removes all wear from the towed car's wheels and drivetrain. A dolly is a middle option, but it still puts the rear wheels and transmission under some strain depending on the car.
Most states also require supplemental brakes on the towed car past a certain weight, and a breakaway cable that stops the towed car if it disconnects. These are safety requirements, not insurance requirements, but driving without them can affect a claim if you're in an accident while towing.
How your insurance treats the towed car
Your auto policy on the towed car was written assuming it's being driven, not pulled behind another vehicle. Whether that policy still applies while the car is in tow, and whether your RV policy covers damage to the towed car or damage it causes to others, depends entirely on the insurer and the specific policies involved.
Ask your insurer directly whether coverage continues while the car is flat towed, on a dolly, or on a trailer, and whether that answer changes depending on the method. Ask what happens if the towed car causes or suffers damage during an accident involving the RV. Some policies treat a towed vehicle as part of the RV for liability purposes. Others don't address it at all until a claim forces the question.
If you rent an RV rather than own one, ask the rental company the same questions, since their insurance and your personal policies may interact differently than if you owned both vehicles.
Keep your registration, insurance card, and towing equipment documentation in the RV when you travel. If you're stopped or in an accident, having proof that your setup meets your state's towing equipment rules can matter for how a claim gets handled.
Questions people ask about this
Do I need a special license to tow a car behind an RV?
Most states don't require a special license for towing a car behind a motorhome, but some set a combined weight limit above which a different license class applies. Check with your state's DMV using the combined weight of your RV and the towed car, not just the RV alone.
What equipment do I need to flat tow a car legally?
You generally need a tow bar rated for your car's weight, a base plate installed on the car, safety cables, and working tail lights wired to the RV. Many states also require supplemental brakes and a breakaway cable above a certain towed weight. Check your state's specific requirements since they vary.
Can towing a car behind an RV void my car's warranty?
It can, if the manufacturer hasn't approved flat towing for your model or if towing is done without the required equipment, like a lube pump for the transmission. Check your warranty terms and the owner's manual before towing, not after a problem shows up.
Does my RV insurance cover the car I'm towing?
That depends entirely on your policy and your insurer. Some RV policies extend some liability coverage to a towed vehicle, others don't cover it at all. Ask your insurer directly rather than assuming either way.
Is a tow dolly or a trailer better for towing a car behind an RV?
A trailer protects the towed car's wheels and drivetrain completely since none of it touches the road, while a dolly still puts the rear wheels under some wear. Which one makes sense depends on your car, your storage space, and how far you typically travel.
If you're adding a towed vehicle to your travels, it's worth seeing how that changes what you pay for coverage.
Start by checking your car's owner's manual for its flat towing rating, since that determines which towing method you'll need. Call your insurer and your RV insurer, or the rental company if you're renting, and ask specifically how a towed vehicle is covered under each policy. Confirm your state's equipment requirements for supplemental brakes and breakaway cables before your first trip. Keep your registration, insurance card, and any towing equipment documentation in the RV. If anything in your policies sounds unclear, ask your agent to put the answer in writing rather than relying on a verbal answer from a call center.
